Integrating Aesthetics in Your Practice

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Non-surgical cosmetic procedures continue to rise steadily, and it is expected to so in the coming years. The market, however saturated, is still competitive with the increasing demand of patients seeking these procedures. Thus, many physicians venture to aesthetics either through ancillary services or as the focus of their practice.

Admittedly, adding aesthetic treatments and procedures is more profitable and bring in more patients in the practice. Based on the statistics published by the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS), non-surgical procedures have steadily every year with statistics only limited to plastic surgeons, what more for dermatologists and general practice physicians. Many expect the number of procedures to rise due to the number an aging population.

Ancillary services seem like a reasonable option, if you are looking to branch out in other fields. Of course, it is not a matter of simply buying fillers and Botox in your practice. You and staff will need to undergo extensive training to administer injections and utilize lasers, provided you are aware of your state’s laws on injectables and lasers.

Ask yourself first, though. Are you ready to undertake an aesthetic practice? Not all ventures to aesthetic practices have become successful for some physicians. It takes dedication and capital to run an aesthetic practice or a medical spa. According to Korman (2010), you need these elements in starting a medical spa:

 

  • Patient experience
  • Physical setting
  • System to assure predictable results without complications
  • Great Customer Service
  • Excellent management

 

Patient Experience

This does not equate to patient satisfaction. According to many experts, experience has greater measure than with satisfaction. To create an excellent patient experience, the experience starts internally (the staff). This is an overall kind of measure as patient satisfaction deals with contentment solely. From the moment a potential patient seeks you out for any treatment until their treatment ends is what you should be looking at. One of the many ways you could improve patient experience is to raise the quality of your waiting rooms.

Physical Setting

Yes, even the physical state of the practice matters. All equipment must be clean and functioning or usable. The physical setting has an effect on the patient as well (Schierhorn, 2014). According to some experts, the waiting room plays a key role with patient experience. Seating, staff, and activities are three main factors you need to take into account.

Medical Systems

There are many vendors of medical aesthetic practice or medical spa software. Most systems include booking and email marketing. You will need to invest in these to increase the number of your returning patients and leads.

Great Customer Service

As we have mentioned in a previous blog post, customer service starts from within the practice. To result in great customer service, continually learn from your treatment of staff and them with your patients.

Excellent Management

This one needs constant and continuous work. You must remember that your practice is also a business. You, as their owner, will need to supervise and look over your staff regularly. You may need to conduct meetings in order to keep track of their activities on a weekly or daily basis. You may need time to get used to managing and running your new medspa as you practice, but many owners and directors do get the hang of it eventually.